Summit 4th Graders Teach Parents About Traffic Safety At Schools

SUMMIT, NJ — After noticing that parents were not following safety rules while picking up and dropping off kids at Summit's Washington Elementary School, a group of fourth graders made a video, explaining the precautions that need to be taken.

These students, part of the IDEAS club at school, worked with Mayor Nora Radest and the Summit Police Department to learn about traffic safety. They then created a PSA video to teach others how to drive safely around schools.

"In 2019, in the U.S. alone, 6,205 pedestrians died because the driver or pedestrian was not paying attention," one student said in the video. "In the same year, 76,000 pedestrians got injured for the same reason."

The fourth graders reminded parents that areas where cones are placed around the school signify areas where drivers cannot park for pick-up or drop-off. The speed limit in the area around the school, as well as in all residential areas, is 25 miles per hour.

They also warned against distracted driving and reminded parents to avoid texting, eating, drinking or doing personal care activities like brushing hair while driving.

One student said half a million people are killed each year as a direct result of distracted driving.

The IDEAS students have posted a number of traffic safety videos on the Summit Public Schools YouTube page. You can check out the videos here.